- Wednesday, 05 August 2015 07:40
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
David had just the one runner yesterday as Kie ran in the 1m6f handicap on the flat at Salisbury. I thought that he ran okay to finish fourth, although considering his subsequent exploits over hurdles and fences I thought that a flat mark of 49 looked quite interesting. It goes to show that it isn't very often that the handicapper 'let's one in' under either code, flat or jumps. I would imagine that he will be reverting to obstacles when the jumping recommences after our summer break. There are no runners from the stable this afternoon, although Race To Glory runs on the level tomorrow at Haydock and our former amateur rider Mikey Ennis will be in the saddle.
- Tuesday, 04 August 2015 08:02
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
It is day two of jump racing's Summer break and I have to say that I am missing the action already! There are four flat cards taking place on these shores with action from Salisbury, Catterick, Chelmsford City and Ripon. Meanwhile, just like yesterday the Irish are hosting a jumps card at Roscommon and there is no shortage of runners. Indeed, the smallest field is in the bumper which has attracted twelve participants - perhaps we could learn something from their model? David sends out one runner on the level this afternoon as Kie competes in the 1m6f handicap at Salisbury at 5pm. He finished runner-up on the flat over two miles as a three year old and has since developed into a very useful hurdler/chaser - David looks to have found him a good opportunity and I must admit that a mark of 49 looks tempting. He will be partnered by promising apprentice jockey Tom Marquand so let's hope for the best.
- Monday, 03 August 2015 08:13
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
I must admit, I'm afraid I hate this time of the year! While I love my flat racing, it just isn't the same when there is no jump racing to watch and there is nothing on these shores until a week on Wednesday. The flat action takes place from Ripon, Nottingham, Carlisle and Windsor and if like me you love a bit of National Hunt racing then you are going to have to make do with the card from Cork over in Ireland. Unsurprisingly there are no runners from the stable today. There is obviously a market for a jumps meeting at this time of year - Cork have 22, 23 and 24 runner fields...talk about competitive, I wouldn't fancy trying to pick all of the winners! Windsor's evening fixture will seem a bit strange without the presence of now retired champion Richard Hughes on the card - during the last five years he has ridden over twice as many winners as any other rider.
- Sunday, 02 August 2015 10:27
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Art of War & A Hairy Koala
The Galway Festival draws to a conclusion this afternoon with the final day of action. It has been a great week of competitive action and while Dermot Weld as enjoyed some success and a lot of his horses have run very well it has not been the dominance we have seen in some years. Jumps action takes place at Market Rasen this afternoon but David does not have any runners. There is also flat racing at Chepstow, and Chester. There is a 10 day break in the jumps programme after today and action dopes not return until Wednesday 12th August at Newton Abbot. I promise I will not start on about race planning again right now!
- Saturday, 01 August 2015 08:04
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Apologies in advance for a slightly shorter jotting this morning but a few technical difficulties have got in the way- I love computers....not!! Today we bid farewell to a champion flat jockey who has been brilliant to watch for years. A superb rider exits our sport while still at the top of his game and for that we have to admire him. He has six rides this afternoon on the final day of Glorious Goodwood and while it will be tough fingers crossed he might be able to sign off with one final winner.
- Friday, 31 July 2015 07:54
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are six meetings taking place this afternoon with flat action from Goodwood, Thirsk, Newmarket, Bath and Musselburgh as well as a jumps card from Bangor while over in Ireland there is yet another excellent mixed card as the Galway Festival continues. We have two runners this afternoon at Bangor with Western Diva contesting the handicap hurdle over 2m3 1/2f under Tom Scudamore, while Michael Heard partners Moncarno in the 2m7f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle.
- Thursday, 30 July 2015 08:01
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
It is a sad day for racing as we bid farewell to Sir Peter O'Sullevan who passed away yesterday afternoon at the age of 97. Sir Peter was a legend of our sport with his instantly recognisable commentating style and his wonderful, friendly demeanour and infectious enthusiasm for our sport. The nation, not just racing has lost one of it's treasures and I am sure we will not see another like him. He wasn't just an iconic commentator either - he was a wonderful correspondent for the Daily Express as well a tireless worker for the welfare of animals throughout the world. Indeed, after his retirement from racing Sir Peter set up his charitable trust which benefitted Racing Welfare, Blue Cross, The Brooke, Compassion in World Farming, World Horse Welfare and the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre by raising millions of pounds.
